Elon Musk responded to a Der Spiegel cover story labeling him “Enemy Number Two,” citing increased security concerns amid rising political tensions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Elon Musk, once a celebrated figure in liberal circles for his innovative ventures in electric cars and space exploration, now finds himself at the center of political controversy. The leftist German magazine Der Spiegel recently published a striking cover story labeling Musk as “Enemy Number Two,” only behind former President Donald Trump. The article’s bold headline has sparked a social media storm, particularly on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, which Musk now owns.
During a town hall event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Musk commented on the escalating hostility towards him. Addressing the cover story, Musk expressed his concerns about the “vitriolic hatred” coming from the political left. He hinted that the heightened animosity had driven him to bolster his personal security. “I’m definitely upgrading my security. Guess I better cancel that open-car parade,” Musk joked, referencing the infamous assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He further remarked, “I’m like, enemy number two of what? Uh, democracy? I mean, I’m pro-democracy. I’m literally trying to uphold the Constitution and ensure we have a free and fair election,” a comment that drew applause from the audience, as reported by Fox News.
Musk’s support for free speech on X and his full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign have put him in the crosshairs of many on the left. He shared his shock at the “level of vitriolic hatred” directed towards him, remarking, “They claim they’re tolerant, and yet, they’re incredibly intolerant and spewing hate,” adding that the right seems more inclined to view the left as misguided rather than expressing the same level of animosity. “But the amount of hate coming from the left is like, wow, next level,” he said.
Musk’s political involvement deepened following the attempted assassination of Trump during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. His commitment to Trump’s campaign solidified even further after a second attempt on Trump’s life while the former president played golf in West Palm Beach in September.
As Election Day approaches, Musk has been rallying support for Trump, traveling to key battleground states like Pennsylvania to encourage voter turnout. In a candid moment captured on video, Musk quipped, “I hope I don’t get shot. I was just on a German magazine saying I was ‘enemy number two.’ Enemy number two of what? I’m definitely upgrading my security. Maybe I should put an inflatable dummy of me in a motorcade. Just troll them,” he joked.
🚨ELON MUSK: "I hope I don't get shot. I was just on a German magazine saying I was 'enemy number two.' Enemy number two of what? I'm definitely upgrading my security. Maybe I should put an inflatable dummy of me in a motorcade. Just troll them." 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/bxocA7K5Mt
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) October 20, 2024
The intense political climate has placed Musk squarely in the middle of the debate on free speech, democracy, and the future of American politics, as he continues his journey as both a tech mogul and a political figure.